Event Information

Rachel Carson Trail Challenge 2015

Overview

The nineteenth annual Rachel Carson Trail Challenge is on Saturday June 20, 2015, the Saturday nearest the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The Challenge is a 34-mile long, one-day, sunrise to sunset endurance hike on nearly the entire brutal Rachel Carson Trail. Unlike a footrace, the "challenge" is not to "come in first" or "win", but to endure, to finish the hike in one day. This time, the Challenge starts in North Park ends 34 miles later in Harrison Hills County Park.

There are three events to choose from that day, all taking place on the Rachel Carson Trail:

Full Challenge
34 Miles
The traditional Challenge. It begins in North Park and ends in Harrison Hills Park. Starts at 5:30 AM, finish deadline is 8:54 PM, or 15 hours 4 minutes, whichever comes first. Limit 600 participants, minimum unaccompanied age 12.
Homestead Challenge
17 Miles
Also known as the "Half Challenge", it begins at the Springdale High School, near the Rachel Carson Homestead, and ends in Harrison Hills Park. Starts at 10:00 AM, finish deadline is 7 hours 21 minutes. If you ever thought about trying the Challenge but never thought you could go 34 miles, this may be for you. Limit 200 participants, minimum unaccompanied age 12.
Friends & Family Challenge
7 Miles
This begins at the Bull Creek Road checkpoint in Tarentum and ends in Harrison Hills Park. Starts at noon. It's intended for families of up to 5 members, and the minimum unaccompanied age is 8. Limit 50 groups. Note that this event is the same as training hike 4.

There'll be a cookout at the finish in Harrison Hills Park for everyone.

Gold Sponsors
UPMC
Silver Sponsors
Doug and Carol MacPhail
Supporting Sponsors
DBStolz
A-K Pulser Paramedic Response Unit
Emergency Physicians of Alle-Kiski

Registration

The signup/registration site is here. Signup opens on March 1 and the first selection round takes place on March 8.

Check In

You will pick up your tracking tag and map when you check in at the start on June 20 (shirts are distributed at the finish). You have the option of checking in on Friday, June 19 between 5 PM and 8 PM at the Harmar Shelter in North Park. Veteran Challengers will be on hand to answer questions and discuss strategy.

Training Hikes

There will be four 8-9 mile orientation hikes covering the entire trail prior to the Challenge. These allow you to learn trail blazing and navigation, as well as see firsthand the trail itself if you've never been on it before, in addition to helping you get in shape for the event. These hikes will be on 5/30 & 5/31 and 6/6 & 6/7. Click here for details.

A series of eight "goal training" hikes is scheduled for every Sunday starting in mid April. These are geared toward folks who are new to the event, or who prefer an extended training regimen. Click here for details.

The training hikes are free, but we won't mind suggesting a donation of $3 per person, per hike.

Participant Information

Please review important event details and other information for participants: Full Challenge, Homestead Challenge, Friends & Family Challenge.

Lodging

Camping: Both North Park and Harrison Hills Park are county parks and camping is not permitted. The closest campground is the Mountain Top Campground, about 7 miles away from Harrison Hills Park and 17 miles from North Park. For parking RVs, there is a Walmart near the course halfway point.

Hotel: These hotels are closest to the parks:

HotelPhoneMiles Away
Near North Park
Route 8 Lodge(724)443-59125
Comfort Inn(724)444-87005
Holiday Inn(412)366-52007
Hampton Inn(412)939-320010
Near Harrison Hills Park
Clarion Hotel(724)335-91719
Armstrong Farms B&B(724)352-285810
SpringHill Suites(724)274-106411
Maggie West B&B(724)274-890613
Comfort Inn(412)963-060015
Equidistant
Days Inn(412)828-540015
Super 8(412)828-890015
Holiday Inn(412)828-930015

Volunteers

The Challenge needs volunteers on Challenge Day! We will need people throughout the day, from morning registration to checkpoints along the trail and the finish. People can volunteer for as few as two hours. If you'd like to help out, review the Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities and mark the meeting dates on your calendar. What's in it for a volunteer? As a thank-you, all volunteers receive a coveted Marshal t-shirt, admission to the cookout, and the gratitude of hundreds of strangers!